A stunning Hindu temple

Located on the corner of Catherine Street and Gypsy Lane is the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Mandir (BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha), a white limestone Hindu temple. The mandir building is a former denim factory and it has now become one of the largest and most stunning mandirs in the Midlands.

Featuring a style of temple architecture found across northern India, the stonework was created by craftsmen in Gujarat, and then brought to Leicester and assembled on site, culminating in consecration and opening 9 October 2011.

Inside the mandir

A community effort

The mandir was funded with donations collected by volunteers and devotees over a three year period. A large proportion of the mandir congregation are part of the Kenyan and Ugandan Asian community who emigrated to Leicester after Idi Amin expelled them from Uganda in the early 1970s. His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspired the local Hindu community to build a place of worship, culture and community and it was funded entirely by the congregation and members of the local community. It has a cafe, bookshop and sports hall and celebrates Diwali and other major Hindu festivals throughout the year as well as running classes for young Hindus so that they can learn more about their religion. Since it opened in 2011 this magnificent building has brought the community together and will continue to do so in the years to come.

Symbolic detail

Exquisite carvings with both religious and cultural motifs can be found throughout the building and lotus flowers and peacocks, both symbolising peace and beauty, are carved into the stonework. The domes, pillars and carvings all make this a temple built to impress and adding to the dramatic effect are the three shikhar towers with gold painted pinnacles rising out of the roof. These towers represent the mountain peaks of the Himalayas.

Roman Leicester

(47- 500) A military fort was erected, attracting traders and a growing civilian community to Leicester (known as Ratae Corieltauvorum to the Romans). The town steadily grew throughout the reign of the Romans.

Medieval Leicester

(500 – 1500) The early years of this period was one of unrest with Saxon, Danes and Norman invaders having their influences over the town. Later, of course, came Richard III and the final battle of the Wars of the Roses was fought on Leicester’s doorstep.

Tudor & Stuart Leicester

(1500 – 1700) The wool trade flourished in Leicester with one local, a former mayor named William Wigston, making his fortune. During the English Civil War a bloody battle was fought as the forces of King Charles I laid siege to the town.

Georgian Leicester

(1700 – 1837) The knitting industry had really stared to take hold and Leicester was fast becoming the main centre of hosiery manufacture in Britain. This new prosperity was reflected throughout the town with broader, paved streets lined with elegant brick buildings and genteel residences.

Victorian Leicester

(1837 – 1901) The industrial revolution had a huge effect on Leicester resulting in the population growing from 40,000 to 212,000 during this period. Many of Leicester's most iconic buildings were erected during this time as wealthy Victorians made their mark on the town.

Edwardian Leicester

(1901 – 1910) Electric trams came to the streets of Leicester and increased literacy among the citizens led to many becoming politicised. The famous 1905 ‘March of the Unemployed to London’ left from Leicester market when 30,000 people came to witness the historic event.

Early 20th Century Leicester

(1910 – 1973) The diverse industrial base meant Leicester was able to cope with the economic challenges of the 1920s and 1930s. New light engineering businesses, such as typewriter and scientific instrument making, complemented the more traditional industries of hosiery and footwear manufacturing.

Modern Leicester

(1973 – present day) Industry was still thriving in the city during the 1970s, with the work opportunities attracting many immigrants from all over the world. While industry has declined in recent years, excellent transport links have made Leicester an attractive centre for many businesses. The City now has much to be proud of including its sporting achievements and the richness of its cultural heritage and diversity.